Album Review: Burner – It All Returns to Nothing (Church Road Records)

Burner’s debut LP, ‘It All Returns to Nothing’ picks up from where 2022’s EP, ‘A Vision of The End’ left off. Building upon their unique combination of hardcore, death metal, and black metal. It All Return to Nothing will be released on June 23rd, 2023.

Hotly anticipated, as Burner have been making a hell of a racket in the underground scene for a little while now, It All Returns to Nothing is finally here and it’s a freaking doozy.

It’s well and truly kicking off from the start with the manic hardcore and death groove of Hurt Locker and the title track. Burner are on fire and the mayhem caused by the opening pair will send the heart into palpitations. Is it hardcore? Is it death metal? Is it black metal? Who f**king cares, it sounds amazing and makes you long for the pit.

There’s no disputing where Pyramid Head’s manic speed and heavy groove sits though as Burner deliver a brilliant blend of hardcore chaos and uncouth death abrasiveness. The guttural sound is exceptionally intense but, once again, it sure makes you want to move.

Then along comes one of the album’s finest head-bangers. A track that is as feral and chunky as they come, yet thanks to some killer riffing and nasty vocals, its almost anthemic. If your idea of an anthem is the sound of unmitigated destruction. Followed by the excellent Pillar of Shame. A wonderfully unrefined display of chaotic noise. A blistering display of how fast and hard this band can go. Before Trinity allows for a breath to be taken with it’s ominous and uncomfortable melodic tones.

It builds dangerously and flows nicely into Prometheus Reborn where Burner throws a bucket of fuel on the fire they have created so far with this growling, garish, and grim sounding head-banger. Leaning into a more deathcore sound here, the track is a crashing heavyweight expulsion of noise.

There’s no drop in quality as Burner encourage the listener to get their stompy shoes on with the crunching EF5, throw caution out with the kitchen sink with The Long March, and stand gobsmacked by the progressive touches, melodic lulls, and wandering soundscape that is An Affirming Flame. A delightful amount of variety in these tracks, all while still sounding exactly like Burner.

All good things must end sadly, and the finale of It All Returns to Nothing is one last chance to lose control and join Burner in a frenzy of speed and heaviness. Waco Horror might be short but it is the perfect closer when you consider what came before it.

A hotly anticipated release for good reason, It All Returns to Nothing is the arrival of Burner. The glorious sound of carnage that will leave all begging for more.

Burner – It All Returns to Nothing Track Listing:

1. Hurt Locker
2. It All Returns to Nothing
3. Pyramid Head
4. Struggle Session
5. Pillar of Shame
6. Trinity
7. Prometheus Reborn
8. EF5
9. The Long March
10. An Affirming Flame
11. Waco Horror

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